Occupies a central position in the States, and is a promising field of labor for those who are engaged in the wonderful work of spreading the news of the third angel's message.
Her position among the States of this union, is very favorable for the spread of the message among the several States. Bordered on the south-east by slavery, by a single leap the message may find its way to the slave; and could the message find its way into Ohio pretty generally, it might rapidly spread east and west, and perhaps south, as the current of her waters tends to the gulf.
Her population too being from every State in the union, and from every nation of Europe, and being in the main an enterprising people, having sent her sons and daughters to every mart of commerce, and to every new State and territory, any general movement in Ohio would pulsate through the whole union.
Take the map, and view carefully the position of Ohio, and with her history in your hand, you must conclude that this State is to all human appearance, the most favorable spot for a general systematic effort for the spread of present truth.
A general movement in Ohio would be in all probability more generally felt in all parts of the union, than such a movement in any other State in the union, New York not excepted, and for this reason especially, her mixed population: her position too, in many senses is favorable for the spread of this truth.
In view of this subject, in view of the vast field before us, those engaged in this work must see the importance of taking such steps, and laboring in such a manner as shall in the least time, and with the least expenditure, accomplish the greatest amount of good.
God grant that we who are citizens of Ohio may feel the responsibility of our situation. Shall covetousness close our eyes and harden our hearts? No; let our hearts soften down. Let us look with unclouded eyes upon the work before us, and let us enlarge our desires, and pray for means and men to enter this field. True, God will raise up the means and the men, but will not you cheerfully put in for a share in the work? Won't you invest capital in an enterprise which is soon to pay such infinite dividends?
Come brethren, let us go cheerfully to the work, and when we pray and labor, think of this great State and how many have not heard of the third angel's message. Do not confine your ideas to the little spot called home, but think of the world; and as the means of spreading it over the earth, pray and labor for Ohio. Brethren and sisters abroad pray for us, and "come over and help us."
J. CLARKE.